The Year that Was
Survey 2008
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
God. Um, got my driver's permit, worked for the government (and subsequently made a 4-digit paycheque for the first time as well), kept up an exercise regimen for 2 weeks (my longest time to date-- feel my burn!), went on my first vacation with the boy.. or any boy for that matter, saw a live comedy show.. there should be more but it's been an up-and-down kind of year and my brain has forced me to forget a lot that happened in the interest of sanity.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
The resolve to be just a little better than I allow myself to be and the ability to accept more of my faltering. This may seem counterproductive. I don't believe it is.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not "close to me", per se but a friend from my old job popped out a cutie, a kid or two i used to go to school with as well did and judging by facebook, there'll be a whole mess-o-babies I know this time next year. Witness the folly of youth.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thank God, no. But I will say this: a lot of friends close to me had relationships "die" and had horrible years and that really made me very, impossibly sad.
5. What countries did you visit?
The mystical USA again. Went to upstate New York in August with the family (and nearly died of coronary failure at the Ponderosa) and went to Philadelphia/New Jersey in March/April (which i have dubbed Marpril) with my good buddy Kyla.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
My license. A second language. An idea of what I wanted, if only for the next year or so.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 24th from when I went with the boy to Montreal. Best weekend of the year, hands down. Friday the 13th when I got fired from Revenue Canada. And then drank copious amounts on my mom's tab in front of her until i stumbled into the parking lot. A proud moment. October 29th when my mom was diagnosed with a stroke.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Success is not in never falling, but in getting up each time you fall. I'd like to think I personified that this year.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Well I would say failing to get into foreign affairs but... that's sort of changed. Let's say letting myself become more doughy over the last year hasn't filled me with delight. Though The Boy seems pleased.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I threw up until I cried for four hours in July. And that was enough for me.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The best thing I *received* was a gift certificate for a massage. The best thing I bought..? A new iPod? My new job necessitates it so I'll say yes. Though the cashmere hoodie I bought on boxing day is winding its way into my heart.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
A little over half of the American voting public. Well played. My father.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The Boy's sometimes. But we're working through it. A chunk of the supporters of John McCain. Andre-f'ing-Cornellier. My father.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Oddly and interestingly enough-- tickets. I went to see Chris Rock, Coldplay, Matthew Good and James Taylor at Bluesfest and saw Wicked at the NAC. All wallet-busters, all worth it.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Those afformentioned concerts, especially Chris Rock which was a birthday gift to my dad and was just an excellent, excellent night out. Going to Montreal (okay, I will *STOP* mentioning that now), starting a new job (three times).
16. What songs will always remind you of 2008?
Just Dance- Lady GaGa
It's All Coming Back to Me Now- Celine Dion
Violet Hill- Coldplay
Everything is Everything- Phoenix
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i) happier or sadder? Hmmm.. let's say "sadder" but hopeful.
ii) thinner or fatter? Oh probably fatter. And I'd like to something about that now that I'm basically in charge of cooking here. Not too much, though. I like my curves.
iii) richer or poorer? Richer. Or, maybe not but with the immediate possibility of being much richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Working, reading, dancing, writing.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I'm repeating my answer from 2006: crying, worrying, manipulating.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it with my immediate fam in the early AM and then with my g-rents and my piano teacher (she's a family friend, i swear it's not weird) in the afternoon then over to the g-unit's house to meet up with my cousin and uncle for some a-feastin'. Very chill, very nice.
21. How will you be spending New Years?
I spent it two ways. I got off work at noon, had The Boy's dad pick me up and went back to his placed where I alternately comforted and taunted his sicky self and then ate mofo'in LOBSTER for dinner. Like a whole, lovely lobster all to myself. And then homemade panna cotta. And then died of delciousness. His cousins were there and I adore them both so we hung out, chatted, and had a few bingeing sessions. Then I took him and Dunkleman to j_max's house for some hilarious board game and hors d'oeuvres and teeny-tiny-puppy action. It was a very relaxed and fun and even though it is the worst day of the year, it wasn't bad at all.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I stayed in love. That was something for me.
23. How many one night stands?
One looong one night stand that's lasted 2 1/2 years. I wish he'd grab his shit and get outta here already. ;)
24. What were your favourite TV programmes?
Top Chef, The Amazing Race, Flavor of Love, Kenny Vs. Spenny, basically anything the food network will put on. Supermarket Sweep and Just Like Mom now that we have the Game Network (not to be confused with the game show network).
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
i don't really think I hate anyone, especially not personally. There are certainly people I've been disappointed by or looked down on but I haven't been slighted enough to hate. Except maybe the transit union ;)
26. What was the best book you read?
I adored both The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (probably misspelled) and I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. But there'll be a whole other meme on that, I'm sure.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmm.. I got into Nina Simone this year because she's just.. amazing. A friend reccommended some Damien Rice for me and I ended up really liking it. And I am head over heels for Jonathan Coulton. Surprisingly, a lot of the albums I looked forward to this year-- Death Cab's, Coldplay's, Matt Good's live album-- kind of left me cold. Or at least required repeated listenings to liked. Very odd.
28. What did you want and get?
A job with a real paycheque, a calmer relationship, a temporary path for the temporary future.
29. What did you want and not get?
My old mom back, but that's coming; a new computer.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
I really liked Be Kind, Rewind but Wall-E was the bomb. Absolutely amazing.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 26. My sister and The Boy and my parents went downtown and we ate too much and hung out in a park and listened to music and then The Boy, Dunkleman and I went back to his place pre-fireworks to beat the crowds and made pasta with his cousin and failed a newspaper quiz about Canada.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
For my mom to have not had a stroke. For the bus strike to have never happened. Not worrying about job stuff all the time. A steady paycheque.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Young professional on the go. I had to chuck a lot of clothes this year-- my family has donated over 15 bags of clothing and household goods (and we are talking giant old navy shopping bags here) to charity. In return, I've bought a lot of nice sweaters, dress pants, etc. I look pretty damn good most days, for what I've got to work with if I do say so myself. ;)
34. What kept you sane?
The Boy, except when he didn't ;), My bff, friends in general just for going for coffees and chatting and getting my mind off of things. The livejournal group here. Losing myself in nonsense over at Neopets when I didn't want to talk to anyone.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I have a crush on every boy from Paul Rudd to Stephen Colbert and nothing much changed this year :)
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
It was hard to miss the election down south and it was one of those wonderful events that makes you go *sigh* and think "things have a chance, now". Even if things end up in the shitter, there's hope now. And that's a rare commodity these days. The dissolution of parliament and the bus strike really did grab me by the short ones at the end though. Miserably so in the latter's case.
37. Who did you miss?
j_max, my pal Kyla, my friend A, my friend Kait, generally everyone who moved away this year but returned for a triumphant Christmas meet-n-greet.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Gosh.. probably Meg who I worked with at Revenue Canada. Very funny, super helpful. Good kid, all around.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
This too shall pass.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost." Coldplay
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
-- Leonard Cohen
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
God. Um, got my driver's permit, worked for the government (and subsequently made a 4-digit paycheque for the first time as well), kept up an exercise regimen for 2 weeks (my longest time to date-- feel my burn!), went on my first vacation with the boy.. or any boy for that matter, saw a live comedy show.. there should be more but it's been an up-and-down kind of year and my brain has forced me to forget a lot that happened in the interest of sanity.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
The resolve to be just a little better than I allow myself to be and the ability to accept more of my faltering. This may seem counterproductive. I don't believe it is.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not "close to me", per se but a friend from my old job popped out a cutie, a kid or two i used to go to school with as well did and judging by facebook, there'll be a whole mess-o-babies I know this time next year. Witness the folly of youth.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thank God, no. But I will say this: a lot of friends close to me had relationships "die" and had horrible years and that really made me very, impossibly sad.
5. What countries did you visit?
The mystical USA again. Went to upstate New York in August with the family (and nearly died of coronary failure at the Ponderosa) and went to Philadelphia/New Jersey in March/April (which i have dubbed Marpril) with my good buddy Kyla.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
My license. A second language. An idea of what I wanted, if only for the next year or so.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 24th from when I went with the boy to Montreal. Best weekend of the year, hands down. Friday the 13th when I got fired from Revenue Canada. And then drank copious amounts on my mom's tab in front of her until i stumbled into the parking lot. A proud moment. October 29th when my mom was diagnosed with a stroke.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Success is not in never falling, but in getting up each time you fall. I'd like to think I personified that this year.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Well I would say failing to get into foreign affairs but... that's sort of changed. Let's say letting myself become more doughy over the last year hasn't filled me with delight. Though The Boy seems pleased.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I threw up until I cried for four hours in July. And that was enough for me.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The best thing I *received* was a gift certificate for a massage. The best thing I bought..? A new iPod? My new job necessitates it so I'll say yes. Though the cashmere hoodie I bought on boxing day is winding its way into my heart.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
A little over half of the American voting public. Well played. My father.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The Boy's sometimes. But we're working through it. A chunk of the supporters of John McCain. Andre-f'ing-Cornellier. My father.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Oddly and interestingly enough-- tickets. I went to see Chris Rock, Coldplay, Matthew Good and James Taylor at Bluesfest and saw Wicked at the NAC. All wallet-busters, all worth it.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Those afformentioned concerts, especially Chris Rock which was a birthday gift to my dad and was just an excellent, excellent night out. Going to Montreal (okay, I will *STOP* mentioning that now), starting a new job (three times).
16. What songs will always remind you of 2008?
Just Dance- Lady GaGa
It's All Coming Back to Me Now- Celine Dion
Violet Hill- Coldplay
Everything is Everything- Phoenix
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i) happier or sadder? Hmmm.. let's say "sadder" but hopeful.
ii) thinner or fatter? Oh probably fatter. And I'd like to something about that now that I'm basically in charge of cooking here. Not too much, though. I like my curves.
iii) richer or poorer? Richer. Or, maybe not but with the immediate possibility of being much richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Working, reading, dancing, writing.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I'm repeating my answer from 2006: crying, worrying, manipulating.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it with my immediate fam in the early AM and then with my g-rents and my piano teacher (she's a family friend, i swear it's not weird) in the afternoon then over to the g-unit's house to meet up with my cousin and uncle for some a-feastin'. Very chill, very nice.
21. How will you be spending New Years?
I spent it two ways. I got off work at noon, had The Boy's dad pick me up and went back to his placed where I alternately comforted and taunted his sicky self and then ate mofo'in LOBSTER for dinner. Like a whole, lovely lobster all to myself. And then homemade panna cotta. And then died of delciousness. His cousins were there and I adore them both so we hung out, chatted, and had a few bingeing sessions. Then I took him and Dunkleman to j_max's house for some hilarious board game and hors d'oeuvres and teeny-tiny-puppy action. It was a very relaxed and fun and even though it is the worst day of the year, it wasn't bad at all.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I stayed in love. That was something for me.
23. How many one night stands?
One looong one night stand that's lasted 2 1/2 years. I wish he'd grab his shit and get outta here already. ;)
24. What were your favourite TV programmes?
Top Chef, The Amazing Race, Flavor of Love, Kenny Vs. Spenny, basically anything the food network will put on. Supermarket Sweep and Just Like Mom now that we have the Game Network (not to be confused with the game show network).
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
i don't really think I hate anyone, especially not personally. There are certainly people I've been disappointed by or looked down on but I haven't been slighted enough to hate. Except maybe the transit union ;)
26. What was the best book you read?
I adored both The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (probably misspelled) and I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. But there'll be a whole other meme on that, I'm sure.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmm.. I got into Nina Simone this year because she's just.. amazing. A friend reccommended some Damien Rice for me and I ended up really liking it. And I am head over heels for Jonathan Coulton. Surprisingly, a lot of the albums I looked forward to this year-- Death Cab's, Coldplay's, Matt Good's live album-- kind of left me cold. Or at least required repeated listenings to liked. Very odd.
28. What did you want and get?
A job with a real paycheque, a calmer relationship, a temporary path for the temporary future.
29. What did you want and not get?
My old mom back, but that's coming; a new computer.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
I really liked Be Kind, Rewind but Wall-E was the bomb. Absolutely amazing.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 26. My sister and The Boy and my parents went downtown and we ate too much and hung out in a park and listened to music and then The Boy, Dunkleman and I went back to his place pre-fireworks to beat the crowds and made pasta with his cousin and failed a newspaper quiz about Canada.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
For my mom to have not had a stroke. For the bus strike to have never happened. Not worrying about job stuff all the time. A steady paycheque.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Young professional on the go. I had to chuck a lot of clothes this year-- my family has donated over 15 bags of clothing and household goods (and we are talking giant old navy shopping bags here) to charity. In return, I've bought a lot of nice sweaters, dress pants, etc. I look pretty damn good most days, for what I've got to work with if I do say so myself. ;)
34. What kept you sane?
The Boy, except when he didn't ;), My bff, friends in general just for going for coffees and chatting and getting my mind off of things. The livejournal group here. Losing myself in nonsense over at Neopets when I didn't want to talk to anyone.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I have a crush on every boy from Paul Rudd to Stephen Colbert and nothing much changed this year :)
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
It was hard to miss the election down south and it was one of those wonderful events that makes you go *sigh* and think "things have a chance, now". Even if things end up in the shitter, there's hope now. And that's a rare commodity these days. The dissolution of parliament and the bus strike really did grab me by the short ones at the end though. Miserably so in the latter's case.
37. Who did you miss?
j_max, my pal Kyla, my friend A, my friend Kait, generally everyone who moved away this year but returned for a triumphant Christmas meet-n-greet.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Gosh.. probably Meg who I worked with at Revenue Canada. Very funny, super helpful. Good kid, all around.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
This too shall pass.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost." Coldplay
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
-- Leonard Cohen